Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act: removal: trimming

The law streamlines permit applications for qualifying hazardous or fallen trees while retaining Department of Fish and Wildlife oversight. It also allows tribal cultural memoranda to cover purchase and sale, not just taking and possession.

What the law does ​

• Allows a property owner’s agent to apply for removal or trimming permits, submit required information, complete related steps, and provide post-work photographs.
• Removes the application requirement for a signed attestation or certification.
• Authorizes the Department of Fish and Wildlife to make agreements with California Native American tribes covering the taking, possession, purchase, or sale of western Joshua trees for tribal cultural purposes.

Who it affects ​

• Property owners and their agents seeking permits to remove or trim qualifying western Joshua trees.
• California Native American tribes entering cultural-purpose memoranda with the Department of Fish and Wildlife.
• Desert native plant specialists who perform permitted work other than removal of detached dead trees or detached limbs.

Context ​

Permits without mitigation are available for qualifying fallen, leaning, or imminently hazardous dead trees or limbs, subject to the existing permit process.